73.9 F
Winter Haven
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Home Blog Page 185

Here Are 5 Reasons to Attend Jokes and Jamz 5 at Wales Pointe on May 19

Staff Reporter
-
0
Here Are 5 Reasons to Attend Jokes and Jamz 5 at Wales Pointe on May 19

by James Coulter

Looking for a great night to unwind and have fun with a few good laughs? Here are five reasons you should attend Jokes and Jamz 5 at Wales Pointe on Fri., May 19:

#1: Stay Out Late After 8 pm. Wales Pointe is the only place in Downtown Lake Wales where you can have a good time and good food after 8 p.m.

#2: Drinks. Wales Pointe recently opened its full bar. So if drink specials and libations are something you are interested in, then quench your thirst with some cocktails and other drinks.

#3:Very Funny Comedians. Want to laugh so hard that you began to tear up? Then take a listen to the hilarious comedy stylings of comedians Ryan Robinson and Scott Simpkins.

#4: Hot R&B Talent. Nothing goes better with drinks and a meal than live music performed by amazing artists. Enjoy the husband/wife duo Just The 2 of Us, with the wife singing covers to her husband playing saxophone. R&B Soul Songstress K. Tenee’ will also be performing.

#5: Great Food. Wales Pointe has a diverse selection of menu items ranging from wings & fries to shrimp & grits. Everything on the menu for Jokes and Jamz will be under $20.

“If you want to laugh and not worry about the problems of the work week and have fun without spending a whole bunch of money doing it, Jokes and Jamz 5 is for you,” said DJ Bush, organizer and official DJ of the Jokes & Jamz series.

This is the fifth installment of Jokes and Jamz, held at Wales Pointe Restaurant in Downtown Lake Wales. This is a quarterly event hosted every three months. The next show in the series will be hosted by Big Zee on May 19, with subsequent events in August and November.

DJ Bush started this series of comedy and music fusion as a way to provide entertainment in Lake Wales for young adults, the kind of entertainment normally found in big cities like Orlando and Tampa.

“I am from a larger city where there are a lot of things to do for different age groups, and I noticed in Polk there is a void for young professionals, folks 25 to 45,” he explained. “There is not much for us to do unless we want to hit a bar–which there is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes we want to do something different.”

DJ Bush has been deejaying out of Polk County for the last four years. He normally hosts private events like weddings, proms, birthdays, and homecomings. He wanted to bring his big-city experience to a small-town setting by creating something unique for young people to enjoy.

“So Jokes and Jamz was my attempt to create something fun for us to do that did not require us to drive to Orlando or Tampa and spend a ton of money to have a good time,” he further

elucidated. “We can enjoy a large city feel right here in Polk, have a great time, take a short ride home safely, and not break the bank.”

Since its inception, Jokes and Jamz has drawn out large crowds, and he expects even larger, more livelier crowds in the future.

“People come out to Jokes & Jamz to have a good time and have fun,” he said. “They want to be able to forget about their problems for a little bit.”

Jokes and Jamz 5 will be hosted by Big Zee of ZK Beauty on Fri. May 19 from 8 p.m to midnight at Wales Pointe, located at 207 E. Park Ave. Lake Wales, Fl, 33880.

For more information or to purchase your tickets, visit http://www.djbushentertainment/events. Tickets begin at $30.

Sheriff Grady Judd Boasts of 51-Year-Low Crime Rate at Chamber Luncheon

Staff Reporter
-
0
Sheriff Grady Judd Boasts of 51-Year-Low Crime Rate at Chamber Luncheon

by James Coulter

Sheriff Grady Judd shared a story about someone who stole a $2.19 soft drink from a local gas station. The man goes to the cashier to pay for his stuff but not his drink. The cashier reminds him he needs to pay for it. Instead, the man marches to his car and drives away, despite the cashier’s protests.

Shortly after, the man is pulled over by a sheriff’s deputy. The officer asks him for his license. The man complies and asks why he was pulled over. The deputy replied that he received a call about someone who stole a soft drink from a local gas station.

“You stopped me over a soda that costs $2.19?” the man asked.

“No,” the officer replied. “I stopped you because you are a thief, the amount makes no difference.”

The cop then ordered the man to step out of the car. The man asked why. The officer said it was easier to put handcuffs on him if he stepped out of the car.

“I’m going to jail over a soda that cost $2.19?” the man asked.

“No,” the officer replied. “You’re going to jail for stealing. The value makes no difference.”

The deputy then said that the man would have to pay $500 in bail. He would also have to pay to get his car returned to him from impound, which would certainly cost more than $2.19 for a soft drink.

“The man had not appeared before the judge and he already had a tow bill and jail bond,” Sheriff Judd said. “Would it not have been easier for him to pay for a soda?”

Sheriff Judd told this witty anecdote during a chamber luncheon hosted by the Northeast Polk Chamber of Commerce on Thursday. The Honorable Sheriff served as the guest speaker that day. During his speech, he boasted about the low crime rates Polk County was experiencing due to the hard work and effort by him and his deputies.

Currently, Polk County is experiencing a record 51-year-low crime rate. Crime was not always that low, Sheriff Judd stated. He remembers when crime was high during the 70s and 80s. That all changed when both the state and country enacted “tough on crime” policies.

Following a gruesome incident where 17 tourists were murdered, Europe issued a warning that the state of Florida was unsafe for tourists to visit. This incident inspired the state to become more “tough on crime” and the crime rate took a sharp nose dive over the following decades to its all-time low point now, Judd explained.

The reason why crime went down, and why it continues to stay down, is because the state took law enforcement seriously. Back when crime was high, he remembered how many criminals would be sent off with a slap on a wrist.

Sheriff Judd recalls one incident involving a convict who was jailed with a 25-year life sentence. Shortly after being let out on parole for “good behavior,” the man robbed a liquor store, killed the person working there, went to a furniture store, and killed a teenager and the owner.

Sheriff Judd averred that such “light on crime”, “hug a thug” policies are why crime remains rampant in states like California and cities like New York City and Chicago. He argued that doing the exact opposite of those places is why crime in Polk County and Florida are at an all-time low.

“That is why crime is low in Florida and not in California. That is why the murder rate is low here and not in [other cities],” he said. “It is what you accept as a society that makes a difference, and we choose to make you safe.”

With Polk County set to become the fastest growing county in Florida, more and more people are moving from cities and states with high crime rates. While he openly welcomes new people moving here, he also urges them to leave behind the failed policies and attitudes that led to higher crime.

He recalled one instance where deputies responded to a domestic dispute. The offender in question shoved a deputy aside and ran to punch the person who called in the face. The deputies responded, as Judd said, “by introducing his face to the pavement.”

The man was then led to the patrol car and told he was going to jail. He told the officers that this was not how things were done in New York City. There, people were only “encouraged” to show up at court if they wanted to.

The officer replied: “Before we leave, look around. Do you see Empire State Building. This is not New York City. This is Polk County, Florida.”

“Don’t go poking the deputies and smacking people around,” Sheriff Judd said. “That will get you arrested.”

The Good Sheriff ended his speech by encouraging citizens to lock their car doors and park their vehicles in their garage. He insisted that taking such precautions could help reduce the overall crime rate even lower by 40 percent.

“If you don’t lock your cars, leave your wallet and purse there,” he said. “Go out on a limb and leave your car fob so they can drive away, too…It is the downside of crime so low and people feeling so safe that they do not lock their cars up.”

Prior to his speech, several Chamber members praised Sheriff Judd for the outstanding track record of his sheriff office. Donna Fellows, publisher at Four Corner Sun, which runs a regular column by the Sheriff, called him the “Best sheriff in the nation.”

Three People Shot & One Custody In Auburndale Shooting

Carl Fish
-
0
Three People Shot & One Custody In Auburndale Shooting

Auburndale Police Department Press Release 10:08am –

On April 29, 2023, at about 8:33pm Auburndale Police with the assistance of the Polk County Sheriffs Office responded to the 3000 block of Allred Drive regarding a report of gunfire in the area with three people shot. The victims were two adult males and one juvenile male. At the time of this update, one victim has been treated and released from the hospital while the other two victims remain and are reported to be in stable condition.

Prior to the shooting, a disturbance had started between several subjects who have an ongoing feud in the neighborhood which escalated into a physical altercation and ultimately gunshots. One of the shooting victims, a juvenile, is believed to be a bystander and not involved in the physical altercation.

Auburndale detectives have arrested twenty six (26) year old Xavier Rakim Roberts and charged him with three (3) counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon; a second-degree felony.

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the Auburndale Police Department at (863) 965-5555, or if you have information and would like to remain anonymous, call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477).

————————-

Auburndale Police Press Released 1:30 am Saturday-

At approximately 8:33 p.m., Auburndale Police responded to a shooting in the 3000 block of Allred Drive in Auburndale. During the investigation it was discovered that three people were shot. The three victims were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One person has been taken into custody. At this time, all names are being withheld due to the investigation is still active. An updated media release will be sent later.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Auburndale Police Department at (863) 965-5555 or if you have information and would like to remain anonymous call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS(8477).

Central Florida Food Fest Grows Twice as Big for 2nd Year

Staff Reporter
-
0
Central Florida Food Fest Grows Twice as Big for 2nd Year

by James Coulter

Nothing tastes better than fresh food, and food tastes even fresher when it’s grown within a mile of where you live. Central Florida Abundance wants people to know that, which is why they started their company.

Central Florida Abundance is a regenerative landscaping and gardening company that specializes in helping property owners produce their own food at their own homes. They assist homeowners with everything from ornamental landscaping with the natives and edibles to full-on food forests and annual gardens.

Sam Igo has assisted many people with starting their own food forests. He even served as a consultant with Scars Farm in Bartow to help them start their own food forest. That close relationship inspired him to attend this year’s Food Fest.

“It is fun to come out to the farm, and we are glad to be out here today,” he said. “So it is great to see stuff like this with people selling plants, people selling goods that can come from plants. It is inspiring and I have talked to a lot of people out here who are happy to be out here.”

The 2nd Annual Central Florida Food Forest Festival was hosted at Scars Farm in Bartow last Saturday. Several hundred people attended to peruse booths from local nurseries, vendors, and other businesses the specialize in growing local sustainable produce.

Aside from the many vendors and food trucks participating that day, attendees could also listen to live music, take horse rides and hay rides, and take photos with the Cinderella coach.

This year’s event proved bigger and better than the inaugural event last year, explained owner and manager Michael Kiremisti. This year’s turnout was phenomenal, and he has high expectations for future events.

The Food Fest allowed Scars Farm to showcase its new 5,000-square-foot, climate-controlled barn. The new facility will allow them to host more events in the future. They have already hosted several company picnics for local businesses recently. Plans are currently underway to construct a village of 20 to 30 cottages to allow people to stay on the property.

Kiremisti owes his success to social media. Through Facebook and Instagram, he has allowed word about his venue spread across the internet. Scars Farms plans on hosting several more events for Halloween and Christmas, along with 30 private weddings, over the next year.

“This year had an amazing turnout,” he said. “We had a great turnout last year. This year, it is more of the same. People came out from last year. We cannot believe the growth. The infrastructure has grown, and the vendors have grown as well.”

An Illegal Immigrant, Who Has Previously Been Deported, Was Recently Arrested For DUI Manslaughter Has Now Died In Polk County Custody

Carl Fish
-
0
An Illegal Immigrant, Who Has Previously Been Deported, Was Recently Arrested For DUI Manslaughter Has Now Died In Polk County Custody

Polk County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating the death of a Polk County Jail Inmate that occurred on Monday, April 24, 2023, at Advent Health Sebring Hospital.

The inmate who died is 43-year-old Doroteo Martinez-Castro of Haines City. On Saturday, April 22, 2023, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Martinez-Castro for DUI Manslaughter (F2) and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked and Causing Death (F3). He also received a citation for driving on the wrong side of the road.

PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 10:55 p.m.to the crash at the intersection of US 17/92 and Lee Jackson Highway North, just north of the city of Haines City. 

The victim, a 23-year old Hispanic male from Davenport, and Martinez-Castro were both transported to a local hospital. The victim passed away from his injuries shortly after he arrived.

Martinez-Castro was driving a black 2009 Honda Accord, traveling north on Lee Jackson Hwy when he entered into the southbound lane of US 17/92 at the V-intersection. The Honda collided head-on with the victim’s silver 2009 Toyota Prius which was traveling south on US 17/92.

Multiple cans of Modelo beer were found in Martinez-Castro’s vehicle. He also admitted to a detective that he drank multiple beers and Crown Royal whisky a short time before the crash. He was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for an ankle injury, and his blood was drawn. His blood samples were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for additional testing. Upon his release from the hospital during the early morning hours of Sunday, April 23rd, he was booked in to the Polk County Jail and then transferred to the medical dorm for his ankle injury.

Martinez-Castro, who is in the United States illegally from Mexico, only had a learner’s permit to drive, but it was suspended in 2019. He was arrested by the Haines City Police Department in 2019 on traffic-related charges, and deported back to Mexico twice since that arrest. His criminal history includes four prior traffic-related misdemeanor arrests. The PCSO notified the Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration & Customs Enforcement of this most recent arrest upon his being booked into the Polk County Jail. 

According to the investigation so far, Martinez-Castro was being monitored by deputies and medical staff throughout Monday morning, April 24th. Deputies checked on him every 14-15 minutes. When his food tray was delivered at 10:40 a.m., a deputy noticed he was sitting in his wheelchair unresponsive. Deputies and medical staff immediately began CPR until he was transported to Sebring. He was declared deceased at the hospital at 11:31 a.m.

An initial autopsy conducted on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, showed that Martinez-Castro died as a result of crash-related internal injuries. Final autopsy results are pending toxicology reports.

The investigation is ongoing. It is standard PCSO policy for four separate, independent investigations. The PCSO completes a death investigation and administrative (internal) investigation. The Polk County Medical Examiner conducted the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death. All the investigative findings are forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for their investigation and review.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suspect Becoming Ill During Transport On Polk Parkway

Carl Fish
-
0
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Suspect Becoming Ill During Transport On Polk Parkway

Updated Information: A man arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in the early morning hours of Monday, April 24, 2023 suffered a medical episode while being transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center and died later at Bartow Regional Medical Center.

58-year old Maximino Lopez-Gonzalez of Lakeland was exhibiting signs of possible excited delirium and was transferred to an ambulance on the Polk Parkway at US 98 to be taken to a local hospital. 

Deputies first came into contact with Lopez-Gonzalez when they responded to his residence in a neighborhood off of Old Tampa Hwy and CR 542 in Lakeland at around 2:09 am, in reference to a family disturbance.

The investigation determined that Lopez-Gonzalez had doused a bedridden female relative with a chemical cleaning agent and threatened to kill her.  Lopez-Gonzalez was arrested for battery-domestic violence on a victim 65-years old or older, and for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

After handcuffing him, Lopez-Gonzalez resisted deputies’ attempts to put him in the patrol car and kicked the deputies many times.

During transport to the Sheriff’s Processing Center, Lopez-Gonzalez managed to get a hand free from the handcuffs and began striking the windows with his fists and head, he was acting erratically. The deputy stopped the car, and requested assistance. 

Other deputies responded, noticed his erratic behavior, that he was sweating profusely and making statements about seeing people and objects that were not there, leading deputies to believe he was showing signs of possible excited delirium, and/or methamphetamine intoxication, and Polk County EMS was requested to the scene.

The deputies struggled to pull Lopez-Gonzalez out of the car and handcuff him again. 

Lopez-Gonzalez punched one deputy in the face and bit another deputy’s finger.

Deputies discovered a clear baggie on the back seat of the patrol car containing residue of a crystal-like substance which tested positive for methamphetamine.

EMS arrived, took custody of Lopez-Gonzalez, and while en route to the hospital, he became unresponsive, and medics began life-saving measures. 

At 10:58 pm, Maximino Lopez-Gonzalez was pronounced deceased at the hospital.

On Tuesday, April 25th, an autopsy was performed on Lopez-Gonzalez which concluded that none of his injuries were a result of law enforcement actions. It revealed liver disease and an enlarged heart. The autopsy results are pending toxicology reports. 

Per standard protocol, there are four investigations currently underway: an independent investigation by the 10th Judicial Circuit’s Officer Involved Deadly Incident (OIDI) Task Force; an internal investigation by the PCSO Administrative Investigations Unit; the Polk County Medical Examiner conducts the autopsy to determine the manner and cause of death; and all investigative findings are forwarded to the 10th Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office for their investigation and review

Updated Details 4/25: Sheriff Grady Judd will brief the media during 1:30pm press conference regarding a domestic violence investigation of a man that occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, April 24th. Deputies responded to a residence on Memphis Road in unincorporated Lakeland where they learned the man sprayed a 65-year-old bedridden woman with cleaning chemicals and threatened to kill her. The man was also in possession of methamphetamine and was behaving erratically. While transporting him to the inmate processing center, the man began displaying symptoms of excited delirium. The deputy stopped on the Polk Parkway near Highway 98 South, EMS was called, and while transporting him to Bartow Regional Medical Center, the inmate coded. The inmate later died at the hospital.

———————————————————

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the large deputy presence on the Polk Parkway, earlier Monday morning, was due to a suspect becoming Gravely ill during transport. The suspect was taken into custody after a family disturbance call earlier. At 3:45am deputies called for medical assistance. He was transported by Polk County Fire Rescue to an area hospital.

It is unknown what charges the suspect is facing or his current medical condition. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the entire incident and will release more information as it becomes available.

A social media post earlier today showed mobile command units on scene along with a large number of deputies present. It’s not known if the mobile command units were used. Some social media comments felt Sheriff Judd would be holding a press conference, but we are told he isn’t in the Polk County area today.

The Daily Ridge will update as more information is released.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating A Hit & Run Fatal Crash In Winter Haven

Carl Fish
-
0
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Investigating A Hit & Run Fatal Crash In Winter Haven

Polk County Sheriff’s Office seeks driver and vehicle involved in fatal hit-and-run

 

A bicyclist was killed by a hit-and-run crash Saturday evening, April 22, 2023, at the intersection of Winter Lake Road (State Road 540) and Thornhill Road near Winter Haven, and Traffic Homicide investigators from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are looking for the driver and vehicle involved.

Detectives haven’t confirmed the identification yet, but the victim is a black male, believed to be a young adult.

 

Deputies were dispatched to the crash at about 9:24 pm, along with Polk County Fire Rescue. Upon their arrival, the victim was unresponsive, and he was transported to a local hospital where he died.

 

The preliminary investigation based on evidence and witness statements, indicate that the victim was riding his bicycle south on Thornhill Road, and entered the intersection on a red light.

 

A witness who narrowly missed striking the bicyclist first, reported that another vehicle did make contact and quickly accelerated away. The fleeing vehicle was described as a gray or dark-colored sedan that was traveling east on Winter Lake Road. 

 

PCSO detectives say that the suspect’s vehicle should have some front-end damages, and possibly side window damage.

 

If anyone has any information about the crash or the vehicle involved, they are urged to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. Tips can also be made anonymously to Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida at 1-800-226-TIPS (8477). If a tip leads to an arrest, the tipster could be eligible for a reward.

Bicyclist Struck & Killed In Haines City

Carl Fish
-
0
Bicyclist Struck & Killed In Haines City

Haines City, Florida- According to the Florida Highway Patrol a 41 year old Haines City bicyclist was struck and killed Saturday night. According to reports at around 10:30pm a sedan was traveling southbound on SR-17, south of Bannon Island Road. At the same time the bicyclist was traveling southbound on SR-17 and began crossing the highway while being overtaken by the sedan. Despite an attempt to avoid a collision, the sedan collided with the bicyclist who suffered fatal injuries at the scene of the crash.

The Florida Highway Patrol does not report the deceased name due to Marsy’s Law.

Motorcyclist In Critical Condition After Crash On 540A

Carl Fish
-
0
Motorcyclist In Critical Condition After Crash On 540A

The Daily Ridge has had several requests for information on an accident that took place on 540A in Lakeland.

Here are all the details available at this time from PCSO:

Crash was reported at 12:30pm

County Road 540A and Scott Lake Road – Lakeland

 

Multiple callers to 911 reported to the PCSO that a motorcyclist hit the back of the trailer (being pulled by a pickup) and the motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle.

 

Partial road closure on Scott Lake Rd and CR 540A. All were reopened at about 5:30pm

 

The motorcyclist was transported to the hospital and said to be critical but stable.

 

The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit were involved in the investigation.

62 Yr Old Lake Alfred Man Killed In Multiple Vehicle Crash

Carl Fish
-
0
62 Yr Old Lake Alfred Man Killed In Multiple Vehicle Crash

A Lake Alfred man was killed Friday, April 21, 2023, after his vehicle rear-ended a stopped semi-tractor’s flatbed trailer. The driver of the semi was not injured.

 

The victim was identified as 62-year old David Wayne Coleman.

 

Officers from the Lake Alfred Police Department were dispatched to the crash on US 17/92 at Lake Alfred Road at about 2:49 pm. Due to the severity of the crash, LAPD requested the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit to handle the investigation.

 

Detectives have so far determined based on evidence and witness statements, that the semi-tractor was stopped in an eastbound lane on US 17/92 for a traffic light. Mr. Coleman was driving a gray 2012 Jeep SUV, also eastbound, when it collided with the truck’s trailer. 

 

Information collected by the detectives indicate that Mr. Coleman may have suffered a medical episode just prior to the crash, but that won’t be determined until after an autopsy.

 

One lane of the eastbound side was shut down for about 2.5 hours.

 

The investigation is ongoing.

1...184185186...825Page 185 of 825

Advertise

Links

Stay connected

© 2021 WinterHavenDaily.com | All rights reserved.